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Home , Dean Fraser, Donovan Germain, Duane Stephenson, Joseph Hill (musician), Sonia Pottinger, Two Sevens Clash

INTERVIEW

DONOVAN GERMAIN 30 YEARS OF PENTHOUSE INTERVIEW 49 INTERVIEW REMEMBERING JOSEPH ‘CULTURE‘ HILL BY ANGUS TAYLOR PHOTOS BY STEVE JAMES

Donovan Germain’s Penthouse Records Riley, Shuga, and Exco Levi. There’s even a celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. And posthumous appearance by Joseph himself the Jamaican producer will mark the occasion with soon-to-be-released-from-jail legend with a double tribute to one of Roots . ’s formative groups, Joseph Hill and Angus Taylor spoke to Donovan by phone Culture. Remembering Joseph Hill features in . As well as sharing his methods clean, respectful rhythms by the island’s top and motivations for the Culture project, the musicians and the usual Penthouse roll-call impresario announced he is working on a of multigenerational vocalists. These range Marcia Griffiths-led homage to his biggest from veterans of Culture’s time like Marcia influence, Studio One Records. He’s also Griffiths, Trinity, and George Nooks to writing his autobiography: documenting a life newer Penthouse favourites Etana, Tarrus in Reggae and music.

Congratulations on your Remembering Joseph Hill album. What’s your personal history in terms of Culture and their music? Joseph was one of my favourite artists so it is really a pleasure to have the younger ge- neration interpret his work. I got introduced to Culture via [Culture’s producer] Miss because I used to distribu- te for her in New York. That’s when I got to know Joseph Hill, Albert Walker and the other young man. It wasn’t a major interac- tion personally with them. When they came to New York for a show I was with them for part of the day. But Miss Pottinger gave me the opportunity to really distribute a major I am a very spiritual person and I have got label so I give praise for that. Later on I ren- to a point where I think it’s time to educate ted ’s studio from her. And I used the younger generation about the artists that to rent [Culture’s other main producer] Joe made a major contribution to the industry Gibbs’ studio a couple of times from Errol before us. Joseph Hill songs were not being Thompson. played on the radio on a regular basis, as I think they should be played. I thought “This Your main influence in production is Coxsone is a good way to re-introduce Joseph‘s work to Dodd. He had a real ear for when it was time this generation - getting these younger artists to do over a song. Why was the time right for to learn the songs and see where Joseph‘s these Culture songs? head was when he was making them.” 50 INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN

What is it that you really like about Culture Listening to the album, obviously Joseph songs? Hill’s voice was very captivating yet when you I love that they were very simple but very take him out of the equation you realise how radically great. It’s like he takes you back well written the songs are. to a time when these things were really Exactly. So true. Some of the artists singing happening. When you listen to Joseph you’re were saying “I didn’t really listen to this visualising things he was singing about. gentleman‘s work!” That was the kind of response I was getting. It was something new How did you select the songs and match them to them. to the relevant artist I just picked the songs that resonated with Some of the artists - particularly Dalton, me. I thought “This artist would sound much Tarrus, Etana, Nicky, and Exco - have much better on this song” or “This particular artist cleaner voices than Joseph’s but it really audience would react to this song by virtue of works. Whereas Buju, Gyptian, Sasco, Tony them singing it“. Like I said, I’m trying to get Rebel, are from that similarly grainy school as Joseph Hill’s work into all these different Joseph. artists’ fan base. That was really my intention Yes. You see Angus, why it works is the lyri- with the artists I picked. But Marcia Grif- cal quality, the context of the lyrics. It doesn’t fiths, she picked her song because she loved matter who is singing the songs, when you it. She does that song on stage in her sets. really listen to the words and the melody it Exco Levi picked the song he wanted also. captivates you. INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN 51 52 INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN

It’s extraordinary to hear Buju and Joseph’s me in touch with her son Kenyatta. He was in voices together on Natty Never Get Weary - Argentina at the time and he was so happy to you realise just how similar they are. come on board the project. He came through Yes exactly. That track was recorded and re- Jamaica, did his track and he left again. leased a long time ago. I just added it from the standpoint of having a Joseph Hill song on You also have Black Prophet from Ghana the project. I remember I called Joseph out of which adds an African connection… the blue. I was doing a Buju album and I wan- Joseph had a major following Africa. Black ted him to do a track with Buju. He said “Oh Prophet was here in Jamaica doing an album sure” because he was saying him and Buju at the studio and I said “It would be good to were family. He came in, did his track and have an African sing a Joseph Hill song“. So Buju came in and put his words to Joseph‘s that came about when the opportunity to track. But they didn’t spend any time in the presented itself. studio together. It was two different sessions. I interviewed Etana and I asked her if she Joseph’s son Kenyatta is on Stop The Fussing was going to be involved in this project and and Fighting.... she said she didn’t know yet “but if Donovan When I had the idea I went to Joseph‘s wife gives me a call I’ll be there.” Arlene and said to her “I want to make this tri- (Laughs) And I did give her a call! The thing bute album to Joseph‘s work”. I really wanted is, when you’re presenting this project to an her blessing as his wife. And she in turn put artist they can’t refuse the contribution of 54 INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN this artist! It would be a pleasure for them maintaining a level of freshness with the to be a part of a project honouring an artist label. You have to be bringing new people and of the status of Joseph Hill. Nobody who I new ideas. approached for this project said no! Through the years you have used engineers The range of artists from veterans to new is like Stephen Stanley, Dave Kelly, Tony Kelly, very much part of the Penthouse tradition. and on this project you use Shane Brown and And it’s the same for the musicians. You’ve Kevino Elliot. What do you look for in a good got the top players of today’s generation like engineer? Kirk Bennett and Monty. And you’ve got peop- I look for someone who is professional, com- le like the great Mikey Chung, , mitted and has a love of the music. Someone Glenn Browne, Lenky and so on. who wants to experiment because that’s how There’s no way I could do so many songs with we get things to be different. If there were no the same musicians because there would experiments we would all be doing the same be a certain sameness in terms of creativity. things today. So I look for a person that is wil- Because when you have a younger musician ling to say “Let’s try it - if it works great, and playing with an older musician it’s also a if it doesn’t work we’ll try something else.” learning process for them. To see how the Someone with the distinctiveness you need previous generation do what they do. I also to make something sound good. If I’m mixing look out for quality musicians. They might be something, someone who say “Let’s do it over young but they are quality musicians. That’s because it might be better if we did it this why we have the continuity of the music and way”. That’s what I look for an engineer. INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN 55

People are very excited that Buju is going to You mentioned Marcia Griffiths earlier. She be released from jail. I assume you have plans worked with both Miss Pottinger and Cox- to work together. sone. How did you first meet her back when I’m going to be integrally involved in the Penthouse started? making of his new album. As far as I know, There was this track [by Fleetwood Mac] that’s my involvement in making that album. Everywhere. I figured Marcia Griffiths is But I’ll wait for him to come out because you my all-time favourite female artist, hands have to have the energy. I don’t want to be down. I was saying to myself “If I’m coming making anything before he gets out. into the music industry I have to be recording certain artists to get people to look at my Do you think that Buju will bring something label. So I’m going to be reaching for the best - back to the music scene that has been the best musicians, the best artists available”. missing? Because if my Penthouse label came with all Look at it this way. It’s been 10 years since nobodies nobody would be looking at it. But if Buju has gone and if you look at the music I had Marcia Griffiths people would at least industry from a practical standpoint currently look at the label. two artists have really stepped up since he has gone and those are Chronixx and So I came down [from New York], I didn’t Junior Gong. In the last 10 years it’s really know Marcia Griffiths. was been Junior Gong and Chronixx that have the one who really introduced me. We come up in the same class as Buju. started recording and have not stopped from 56 INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN that day until today. In fact I have a new years, after a time you want to do new things album coming out with her called Timel- to really keep the fire burning. I have a love ess where we have 15 Studio One songs for this music and a fire burns within me that she redid. No Marcia Griffiths songs because it has done so much for me and my - Studio One songs of different artists. I family so I always want to be able to give it actually have a track with Toots. Toots did a 100%. I don’t want to be doing things just for combination track with her. doing it’s sake. When I do something I want it to really resonate with people. Tell me about how another foundation artist, Trinity, came to be on the album - because that is another link to Culture through . Trinity is an artist who, when I first came to the music industry, he would usually help me to find musicians and to find artists. He introduced me to a lot of the artists in the early days. So when I was doing this project I figured that he is from that era of Joseph Hill and Culture so I called him and said “Come and do a song on this project”.

The album also features younger Penthouse favou- rites from over the last 10 years like Shuga, Dalton, Sherita and Exco Levi. Are there any hot young artists joining Penthouse we should watch out for who are going to be the next generation? Actually I don’t have any new artists Angus. Right now where I’m at is wanting to do projects that stimulate. This project I just did with Marcia Grif- fiths and this Joseph Hill project - they stimulate me. Because when you’re doing something all these INTERVIEW DONOVAN GERMAIN 57

Finally, it’s the 30th anniversary of Penthouse. earnestly on that Angus. It’s my journey from a Are you doing anything special to celebrate? kid coming up through all the eras of the mu- (Laughs) You know Angus, it’s funny you sic that I’ve been involved in and the people should say that to me! I’m publishing a book that I interacted with. The Penthouse journey, and that’s what I’m focusing on for the anni- Germain music, my time in London, my time versary. I’m still dictating, that’s where I am in New York, that’s what the book is right now, collecting the aspects of the various all about. Documenting my journey. high and low points of my career. I’m working

VARIOUS ARTISTS - REMEMBERING JOSEPH ‘CULTURE‘ HILL Penthouse Records - June 15, 2018

42 years of Culture, 24 musicians (Down In Jamaica) and Black Pro- and engineers, 23 top-a-top singers, phet (Innocent Blood) prove that 20 millennial tracks, 1 breathtaking they are worth keeping an ear out for. tribute – Remembering Joseph Hill is a major accomplishment. Of A substantial number of female sin- course, as boss of Penthouse Re- gers are present too: Shuga, Etana, cords, Donovan Germain has the Nikki Burt and Sherieta add their contacts and infrastructure neces- individual flavours, and a fantastic sary to achieve such a feat, but still Marcia Griffiths interprets Cap- it must have taken a whole lot of time, resources ture Rasta, riding the underlying Sleng Teng rid- and energy to put this album together. Germain, dim as if she never did anything other than spitting explaining that he wants to introduce Hill’s work rhymes. Finally Queen Ifrica has the honour to to a different generation, not only hand-picked the cover Two Sevens Clash, the track that propelled songs, but also approached the artists who in turn Culture to international attention in 1977. covered their Culture favourites. All tracks except Natty Never Get Weary, which is First in line, Hill’s son Kenyatta, who continued the only one featuring the original Joseph Hill and as lead singer in his father’s stead when he passed Buju Banton, are re-recorded at Penthouse Studio away in during Culture’s European Tour in by the crème de la crème of Jamaica’s musicians. 2006, contributes Stop This Fussing And Figh- Kirk Bennett on drums, Glen Brownie and Ae- ting, and the vocal similarity between the two is ion Hoilett on bass, Mitchum Chin and Ranoy sure to invoke some goose-bumps. Gordon on guitar, Steven “Lenky” Marsden on keys as well as , Dwight Richards, He’s not the only one to make me shiver, though. Nambo and Sting Wray on horns, to name but Dalton Harris, whose voice I fell in love with on a few, create a microcosm of sound that connects the Silly Walks Smile Jamaica album, covers past to present and legacy to vision. On Work On Baldhead Bridge which is included twice: once Natty, even Sly & Robbie are to be heard! on his own and once in combination with Trinity. Room for two versions is made for the evocative With reverence, passion and emotion, all these ar- Revolution as well, which tists manage to bring alive the magic of Culture’s and Agent Sasco grace. The star-studded list goes creations once more, and the album Remem- on with (Still Rest On My Heart), bering Joseph Hill will hopefully result in a re- George Nooks (Zion Gate), (The In- surgence of airplay for these and other treasures ternational Herb), Exco Levi (Humble African) written by this memorable artist who passed away and Ed Robinson (Behold). Giving newcomers much too early. You will never be forgotten, Joseph a chance, Natel (Too Long In Slavery), Slashe “Culture” Hill! by Gardy Stein